Measuring Change in Autism Spectrum Disorders Presenter: Catherine Lord, Ph.D. Objectives 1. Participants will describe goals for measuring change for individuals, families, and research. 2. Participants will identify strategies for measuring change when conducting interventions and research with individuals with ASD. 3. Participants will examine and define change, including the context and challenges of working with individuals and families with ASD. This session will consider how clinicians, researchers, and families have traditionally measured changes in behaviors and learning, as well as new approaches including biometrics and several new outcome measures. Clinical and research examples will be highlighted. This session is designed for families, medical, clinical, behavior, and education professionals. It is recommended for those with intermediate training. Dr. Catherine Lord is a licensed clinical psychologist with specialties in diagnosis, social and communication development and intervention in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). She is world- renowned for her work in longitudinal studies of children with autism as well as for her role in developing the autism diagnostic instruments used in both practices and in research worldwide today. This Session is eligible for 1.5 units of APA and BBS Continuing Education
Learning Through Play: Supporting the Development of Young Children through Play-Based Interventions Presenters: Michelle L. Wahlquist, MS, CCC-SLP Kristen Joyner, Psy.D. Objectives: 1. Participants will identify at least 3 ways that play is vital in childhood development and how play skills might look different in children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. 2. Participants will identify differences between child-led and adult-led play. 3. Participants will practice implementing play based-strategies in order to reach therapy goals in a clinical setting. Description of Session: The goal of this session is to explore the importance of utilizing play in a clinical setting. This presentation will focus on the importance of play in early childhood and its foundation for the development of cognitive, social-emotional, language, and motor skills. Participants will learn the developmental progression of early play skills and how play skills may differ in children with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Participants will learn strategies for how to incorporate child-led play into therapy sessions. This session is designed for families, medical, clinical, behavior, and education professionals. It is recommended for those with basic or intermediate training. This Session is eligible for 1.25 units of APA and BBS Continuing Education.
Understanding the Differences between Special Education Eligibility and Medical Diagnosis Presenter: Jeanne Anne Carrierre, Ph.D. Objectives: 1. Participants will identify similarities and differences between Autism DSM-5 diagnostic criteria and California Education Code Autism Special Education Eligibility. 2. Participants will describe the similarities and differences between a school-based Special Education eligibility evaluation and a clinical/medical based diagnostic evaluation. 3. Participants will integrate information gathered through Objectives 1 and 2 to generate effective and appropriate ways to communicate this information to families, school professionals, and clinical/medical specialists. Description of Session: Parents and professionals often equate evaluations conducted by school districts and those conducted by outside medical and clinical providers. There are significant differences between the purposes and outcomes of these evaluations. When we equate them it can lead to confusion, disappointment and resentment. Helping families and professionals understand these differences can lessen frustration and improve access to both school-based and clinicbased services for children with Autism Spectrum Disorders. During this workshop, we will review the similarities and differences between school-based Special Education evaluations and clinical/medical diagnostic evaluations. Participants will learn why this is so important for families and professionals to understand. Effective ways of communicating this information will be provided. This training designed for families, individuals, medical, clinical, behavior, and education professionals. It is recommended for all levels of experience and training. This Session is eligible for 1.25 units of APA and BBS Continuing Education. This lecture has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits.
Lunch Panel Discussion Navigating Autism: Parental Insights, Experience, and Advice Please join us during the lunch break for a panel discussion featuring parents of children with ASD. Parents will share their insights and experiences, as well as take questions from the audience. The panel will be moderated by The Center for Autism & Neurodevelopmental Disorders' Clinical Social Worker, Maureen Dillon, LCSW. This session is not available for APA, BBS, or AMA continuing education.
Autism Spectrum Disorder: An Overview of the Role of Medication Presenter: Nisha Warikoo, M.D. Objectives 1. To enhance the didactic training of primary care physicians in Autism spectrum disorders in order to improve care for this population. 2. To understand basic management strategies in ASD in a multidisciplinary context. 3. To identify a systematic approach to psychopharmacology in the ASD Population. The session will focus on psychiatric medication considerations in children and adolescents diagnosed with autism. It will provide an overview of management, including the importance of an individualized treatment plan according to age and specific needs. A multi disciplinary approach that maximizes strengths in order to address weaknesses is ideal. The importance of early intervention and maximizing behavioral and educational interventions to target core symptoms will be discussed. The target symptoms for psycho pharmacology will be discussed as well as the different classes to consider. This session is designed for medical, clinical, behavior, and education professionals. This training is recommended for those with intermediate or advanced training. This Session is eligible for 1.25 units of APA and BBS Continuing Education. This lecture has been approved for AMA PRA Category 1 Credits. Speaker Disclosure information will be provided at the Conference.
ADOS-2 Refresher Course Presenters: Stephen M. Kanne, PhD, ABPP Anna Laakman, MEd Objectives 1. Participants will review and identify standardized administration of the ADOS-2 across all modules. 2. Participants will score, code and analyze a video administrative demonstration of the ADOS-2. 3. The participant will calibrate on ADOS-2 coding. The Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule-2 (ADOS-2) is widely considered the gold standard autism assessment. This Refresher Course is meant to help re-calibrate and also provide updates on the ADOS-2. Participants in this session are expected to have previously attended an ADOS-2 training. This session is appropriate for any provider using the ADOS-2 or reviewing the ADOS-2 as part of their practice. This session is designed for medical, clinical, and school based professionals assessing children. This training is recommended for those with advanced training. This Session is eligible for 3 units of APA and BBS Continuing Education.
Successful Engagement of Parents in ABA Assessment and Treatment Name of Presenter: Kelly McKinnon-Bermingham, MA, BCBA Objectives: 1. Participants will articulate three reasons why parent involvement is a key factor to successful behavioral assessment and treatment. 2. Participants will integrate motivational interviewing strategies and parent perception into assessment, parent training and consultation. 3. Participants will identify how to use required insurance tools to match parent priorities in therapy. As the rates of autism spectrum disorder diagnoses continue to rise, the demand for ABA therapy rises as well. The ABA field is ever-evolving as ABA payors begin to change the landscape of the field. Working with families and the payors together is challenging yet needed to preserve the integrity of the ABA field and meet the needs of our clients. Participants of this session will hear parents' perspectives, and learn specific techniques to include parents' needs and priorities while still using the required documentation to complete a family-centered assessment. Motivational interviewing techniques will be demonstrated to include parents more effectively in ABA treatment. This session is designed for Behavioral Professionals (BCBA, BCaBA, RBT), individuals, and families. This training is recommended for those with intermediate or advanced training. This Session is eligible for 1.5 units of BACB, APA and BBS Continuing Education.